CONFIDENCE is returning to the WA small business sector, according to the latest Yellow Pages Small Business Index.
It found 61 per cent of WA small businesses had confidence in their business prospects for the next 12 months.
However, WA small businesses, along with their Northern Territory counterparts, were the least positive about the future of the Australian economy.
The survey found sales growth was slightly stronger and expectations had bounced back.
While profit expectations were limited, expectations improved.
There was also a high level of price increases and solid expectations for future increases. This is largely due to the introduction of the GST.
Most expect the cost of their workforce to increase and there is a slight expectation of cutting worker numbers.
Small businesses are still unhappy with the performance of the WA Government, although no more than they were three months ago.
Nationally, small business confidence rose sharply over the past quarter. This probably reflects a better than expected GST transition phase.
Only 19 per cent were concerned about their business prospects while 20 per cent were neutral.
